Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Elizabeth, NJ (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Elizabeth

New Jersey
112

Huntington Beach is 103% more expensive than Elizabeth.

$2,424/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$1,463/mo ↓ 40%
$119,885/yr ↑ 88%
Median Income
$63,874/yr ↓ 47%
$1,047,300 ↑ 166%
Home Value
$393,500 ↓ 62%
$2,436/mo ↑ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,543/mo ↓ 37%
196,010
Population
135,887

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Elizabeth, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $961/month cheaper in Elizabeth, saving renters about $11,532/year.

Median household income is $56,011/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $393,500 in Elizabeth.

New Jersey has a lower income tax rate, making Elizabeth slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Elizabeth — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Elizabeth cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Elizabeth is cheaper to live in with an index of 112 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Elizabeth?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Elizabeth it's $1,463/month — a difference of $961/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Elizabeth?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $63,874 in Elizabeth. Median household income is $56,011/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and New Jersey?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Elizabeth?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Elizabeth has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,463/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Huntington Beach details → View Elizabeth details →

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